Analysis Pheu Thai Secures Udon Thani Win, Further Dividing Political Lines

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Image composite //File photos

 

ANALYSIS

 

In what many are calling a proxy war between two major Thai political parties, the ruling Pheu Thai Party emerged victorious in the Udon Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) election on Sunday. The heated contest saw Pheu Thai's candidate Sarawut Petchpanomphon clinch victory over the People’s Party's contender, Kanison Khurirang, with a margin of almost 60,000 votes.

 

The election, held in Udon Thani, a stronghold of Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai and his red-shirt followers, was marked by a ferocious campaign. Both factions deployed high-profile figures, with Thaksin himself rallying support for Pheu Thai, countered by Pita Limjaroenrat of the People’s Party.

 

Despite Pheu Thai's clear win with 327,487 votes to 268,675, the People’s Party claimed a moral victory. Pita, previously leading the Move Forward Party, emphasised their narrowing defeat, portraying it as evidence of growing support and a call for change in Isaan, the northeastern region of Thailand.

 

He stressed that the reduced vote gap, compared to previous Move Forward losses, indicated progress, referring to it as a "defeat with progress."

 

At the 2023 general elections, Pheu Thai secured seven seats in Udon Thani, while the People’s Party (then Move Forward) managed only one. This local election win reiterates Pheu Thai’s dominance but also shows the People's Party’s growing foothold as it managed to keep the margin tighter than many expected.

The political climate during the campaign was intense, centred more on party rivalry than local issues. The aftermath of the election is already turbulent, with Pheu Thai's Sarawut indicating legal action against Chaitawat Tulathon of the People’s Party for allegations of misconduct, specifically accusing Sarawut’s wife of involvement with grey-market activities.

 

With both sides entrenched in conflict following the rift post-general elections, the division seems set in stone. Sarayut Jailak of the People’s Party and Nattawut Saikua of Pheu Thai have expressed that a coalition is unfeasible under the current climate. This fracture ensures that future contests will likely be just as fierce, with each side determined to assert its dominance.

 

The next significant electoral test comes with the Ubon Ratchathani PAO election on December 22. The People’s Party is gearing up for this battle, signalling its intent to challenge Pheu Thai's influence across the region. In a gesture to their supporters, they thanked Udon Thani voters and hinted at continuing their push in Ubon.

 

As these local battles unfold, the national stage remains tense. The opposition, led by the People’s Party, is preparing to bring a no-confidence motion against the government in December's parliamentary session.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is expected to face significant questioning over unmet campaign promises, with the potential to shake up the coalition government once more, writes Mekha Naiwayu for The Nation.

 

-- 2024-11-27